Briyanna Femia of Hamilton, NJ, Brianna Magana of Sicklerville, NJ, Alanna McDougall of Valley Stream, NY, Emily Schmitt of Bellmore, NY, Madison Lipton of Woodland Hills, California, Abby Morgan of Virginia Beach, Virginia and Shannon Kelly of Uniondale, NY, have signed national letters of intent to further their education and soccer careers at Rider.

Femia is a four-year starting goalkeeper at nearby Steinert High School, where she twice was a Mercer 33 Recipient and a three-time NJGSA All-State selection. “Bri joins us from nearby Steinert High School where she has had an outstanding career,” Hounsome said. “She is an excellent shot stopper, has good footwork, and is a strong addition to our goalkeeper pool.” Femia was named an All-State Top 20 Player Central Region and a First Team All-Area selection by the Trentonian. Femia plays club soccer with PDA Ginga in the USYSA National League.

Magana is a four-year starter at Timber Creek High School, where she received First Team All-Conference, First Team All-South Jersey and All-State honors as a senior. “Bri is a tenacious and hard working midfielder who has demonstrated she can play both an attacking and defensive role on the field,” Hounsome said. “She has good balance and awareness on the ball and is also a threat in and around the goal.” Magana led Timber Creek to the Group III championship last year.

McDougall is a five-year starting forward at Valley Stream North High School, where she earned NYSSWA All-State honors as a senior. “Alanna is an attack minded player who can go at defenders and cause problems for opponents,” Hounsome said. McDougall was twice an All-County selection and played club soccer for Valley Stream SC. “She will give us strong attacking options on both sides of the field,” Hounsome said.

Schmitt is a four-year starting defender at W.C. Mepham High School, where she twice earned All-Nassau County honors. “Emily has played at the highest level in the Elite Club National League, playing against the best players in the country,” Hounsome said. Schmitt helped the East Meadow Sparks win the 2011 Eastern NY State Championship in the ECNL. “She is an athletic, attack minded fullback who we feel will strengthen the team both offensively and defensively.” Schmitt received the Student-Athlete Award for the highest academic average on the W.C. Mepham team, guiding them to the 2010 Nassau county Conference III Championship.

Lipton is a four-year starting defender at the number one ranked team in the nation, El Camino Real Charter High School, leading them to the State Championship as a senior. “Maddie will be joining us from the number one ranked team in the nation and will have an immediate impact for us on the left hand side of the field,” Hounsome said. “She is a naturally gifted left footed player who can excel as an attacking fullback or wide midfielder.” Lipton also plays in the ECNL, leading the Real So Cal team to the national finals and a national ranking of eighth.

Morgan is a four-year starting defender at Kellam High School, where they won District and Regional Championships in 2012, reaching the State Quarterfinals in 2012 and 2013. “Abby is an athletic and aggressive central defender who has a very strong presence in the air,” Hounsome said. “She is composed and comfortable in possession which will provide us with a variety of different attacking options through the middle of the field.” A South East Region First Team and Beach District All-tournament team selection, Morgan plays club soccer with Beach FC, leading them to the Virginia State Championship in 2011.

Kelly is a three-year starting midfielder at Kellenberg Memorial High School, where she received All-League honors as a senior captain. “Shannon has played at the highest level in the ECNL and that experience will serve her well in the MAAC,” Hounsome said. Kelly played for the Albertson Fury 95 team that reached the ECNL National Finals in 2013. “She is an athletic and tenacious midfielder with a great soccer engine,” Hounsome added. “She is very comfortable on the ball and is a threat in the offensive third of the field.”

Rider graduated five players from the 2013 team that finished in fifth place in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and advanced to the MAAC semifinals.